Seeing double is a relatively normal occurrence for most of us, even if it happens rarely. The medical term is diplopia and it’s defined as seeing two different images of a single item (regardless of whether it’s a person or a piece of furniture). It may go away with a blink or two or a good night’s sleep, but not always. We’ll look at the specifics of the condition and what you can do if you’re concerned.

What You Should Know About Seeing Double

Most people who have double vision won’t see their doctor for it, so it might surprise you that hundreds of thousands of people still visit a healthcare provider because of it. As one of the more common reasons to head to the ER, it should give you an idea of how often this happens.

Diplopia can sometimes be caused by dry eye syndrome or ill-fitting contact lenses. In this case, it’s as simple as an eye drop or a quick adjustment to fix it. Sometimes, it’s caused by something more nefarious, like cataracts or an iris abnormality. If you’re seeing double, it’s not unusual for this symptom to be accompanied by headache, nausea, or general blurry vision. If you’ve seen any type of change in the recent past, it might be worth a trip just for your peace of mind.

See an Optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA

If you’re getting blurry or double vision in Pittsburgh, PA relatively often, it might be time to talk to someone who can diagnose the issue as either innocuous or indicative of something more. At Lappen Eyecare, our doctors are here to treat the condition, regardless of its severity or underlying causes. Contact us to tell us more about your symptoms or to schedule an appointment.